ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by

Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash  

WHERE:                   Interstate 57 Northbound at Milepost 112.5, Marion County

WHEN:                      March 12, 2021 at approximately 5:59 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2017 White Chevrolet Malibu

                                    Unit 2- 2012 Black Chevrolet Camaro

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- John Heil, 41-year-old male from McLeansboro, IL – Flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.

                                    Unit 2- Debra Kaczur, 57-year-old female from Centralia, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 and Unit 2 were both traveling north in the right lane on interstate 57 near milepost 112 in Marion County. The driver of Unit 1 failed to slow and struck the rear of Unit 2, causing both vehicles to begin spinning. Unit 1 struck a guardrail and rolled over. The driver of Unit 1 was flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours during the crash investigation.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Following too Closely.